Persistent noisy neighbour receives large court fine

A persistent noisy neighbour from Lydney has been ordered to pay a total of £1,220 by a court after being found guilty of breaching a noise abatement notice.

Steven Birch, 32, from The Orchards, in Lydney was originally served with a noise abatement notice by Council officers on 6 April 2017, following complaints from residents, which required him to take steps to ensure he didn’t cause a noise nuisance. Mr Birch breached the conditions of the notice by continuing to repeatedly play amplified music at excessive levels, resulting Council officers seizing his music equipment on 12 June 2017.

Mr Birch was summoned to Cheltenham Magistrates Court on Monday 11 September, but failed to attend. In his absence Magistrates found Mr Birch guilty and fined him £660, plus a victim surcharge of £60 and ordered him to pay £500 in costs.

Cllr Chris McFarling, Cabinet Member for Environment said: "This case proves that residents do not have to put up with unacceptably noisy neighbours and are entitled to enjoy living in their homes in peace and the Council will take appropriate action to protect that right.

"Prosecution is the last resort and we will always provide help and advice in the first instance, however we will not hesitate to take formal action where required to ensure a safe and healthy environment for everyone living and working in the district."